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Federally funded high-speed rail projects around the country could get under way in the next two weeks, according to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Railroad executives would be called in for "some very intense meetings" with federal officials in coming days to thrash out the remaining details, LaHood said. "This is the president's and vice president's vision, and we need to get moving on it," he added.

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A provision in the $109 billion Map-21 bill is hindering the release of federal funds for California's estimated $98 billion high-speed rail project, said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We're not going to get $1 as long as there's language in appropriations bills that says there's no federal money that can be spent on California high-speed rail," LaHood said. "That doesn't help us get any more [private] money to the project." GOP leaders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are not convinced about the project, leading them to question whether taxpayer money spent on the project would be justified, writes Keith Laing.

Wisconsin will get $46.5 million in federal stimulus funds to build high-speed rail in the state. Combined with an earlier grant, Wisconsin now has some $52.2 million on hand to start the rail project. "This undertaking is not only creating good jobs and reinvigorating our manufacturing base, it's also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The long-term plan is going forward, no matter which political party takes power next in Wisconsin, said LaHood.

Wisconsin will get $46.5 million in federal stimulus funds to build high-speed rail in the state. Combined with an earlier grant, Wisconsin now has some $52.2 million on hand to start the rail project. "This undertaking is not only creating good jobs and reinvigorating our manufacturing base, it's also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The long-term plan is going forward, no matter which political party takes power next in Wisconsin, said LaHood.

The Obama administration "wants to be helpful" in funding the NextGen air-traffic control system, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told airline executives on Tuesday, while refusing to give any details on what that help might look like. Airlines have complained that Washington is providing $8 billion to high-speed rail projects while failing to help the air travel industry in the face of a severe downturn. While stressing the importance of modernizing ATC, LaHood said high-speed rail will continue to be a priority for the administration. "This is the president's vision, this is the vice president's vision, this is America's vision ... We're going to get into the high-speed rail business," he said.

High-speed passenger rail service is a top transportation priority for President Barack Obama, according to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. LaHood's department has submitted a report to the White House that outlines at least six corridors for possible high-speed rail service. However, LaHood acknowledged that building a high-speed rail would exceed the $8 billion in rail funding provided in the economic-stimulus package.